Asia Africa Intelligence Wire articles from August 2002, page 5

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire archives from August 2002

RBI NOT FOR STEPPED-UP BORROWINGS BY STATES (as additional market borrowings by State Governments will further aggravate the situation).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is not in favour of more market borrowing of Rs10,000 crore a year by the States. The Finance Ministry, Government of India, has proposed the additional borrowings for swapping...

CR STEEL: PRE-EMPTIVE ACTION WAS US PRODUCERS' AIM (the US International Trade Commission has rejected the demand of the US steel industry for imposition of ADD).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The US International Trade Commission has rejected the demand of the US steel industry to impose new anti-dumping duties (ADD) on cold-rolled (CR) steel. The US Commerce Department and the American steel...

OBEROI GROUP TO GO SLOW ON NEW HOTEL INVESTMENT (now has only 2 ongoing projects, involving an investment of $35 million).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) EIH Ltd of the Oberoi group intends to go slow on investments on new hotel projects and focus on management contracts. The group now has only two ongoing projects, involving investment of $35 million. The...

INDIAN HOTELS TO MAKE ROOM FOR ACQUISITIONS (the company expects to register a growth of 10% in revenues during 2002-2003).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is likely to acquire hotels to increase the room inventory per hotel. The company expects to register a growth of 10 percent in revenues in 2002-2003. IHCL intends to reduce...

COAL INDIA BOARD APPROVES PLAN FOR TIE-UP WITH ONGC (the companies plan to set up a separate firm before beginning commercial exploitation of coal bed methane).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The board of directors of Coal India Ltd (CIL) has approved the setting up of coal bed methane (CBM) projects in association with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The companies intend to set up a...

POWER TRADING CORPORATION TO HANDLE BHUTAN ELECTRICITY (the company expects to double the trading volumes to 900 MW in 2002-2003).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Power Trading Corporation of India Ltd (PTC) plans to import energy from the 336-megawatt Chukha project and the 60-megawatt Kurichu project in Bhutan. The company expects to increase the trading volume...

ION EXCHANGE SETS UP WATER STATION IN BENGAL (had installed 6 units in Rajasthan earlier).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Ion Exchange (India) Ltd recently installed a state-of-art Zero-B water unit at Sealdah station in West Bengal. The company had earlier installed six similar water stations in Rajasthan. The water...

CAMLIN TO FOCUS ON EXPORTS, R and D (is in the process of rationalisation and modernisation of its plants).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Camlin Ltd intends to focus on increasing its exports and research and development (R and D). The company is rationalising and modernising its plants and equipment in its consumer products division. Camlin...

L and T COMPLETES Rs450-CRORE PROJECTS FOR IOC BARAUNI (the project has increased the capacity of the refinery from 4.2 million tonnes to 6 million tonnes).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L and T) has completed a Rs450-crore project for Indian Oil Corporation at Barauni in Bihar. The project has increased the capacity of the Barauni refinery from 4.2 million tonnes...

TD POWER SHIPS GENERATOR TO JAPAN (the company manufactures generators under licence from Toya Denki of Japan).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) TD Power System Pvt Ltd recently shipped a 35,000-kilowatt alternating current (AC) generator to its parent company in Japan. The company manufactures generators for diesel and steam turbine power plants...

TATA TEA PREMIUM RE-LAUNCH TO CASH IN ON PEAK SEASON (had re-introduced the Kanan Devan and Chakra brands a few months ago).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Tata Tea Ltd (TTL) plans to re-launch its flagship brand, Tata Tea Premium, in Oct 2002. The company had re-launched the Kanan Devan and Chakra tea brands a few months ago. TTL had launched the Tetley brand...

BPCL TO STEP UP RETAIL ACTIVITIES (the company intends to add 100 more retail outlets in the eastern States).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) plans to expand its distribution network with major investments. The company also plans to offer value-added products and user-friendly fuels and services. BPCL...

CONCOR ICD IN VISAKHAPATNAM SOON (the Indian Railways has already offered 7 acres of land to the corporation).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Container Corporation of India (Concor) plans to set up an inland container depot (ICD) at Visakhapatnam soon. The Indian Railways has already offered 7 acres of land to Concor to set up the ICD. Steel...

POLAR AIR TO RESUME CARGO SERVICES (the airline will serve Mumbai and Chennai with effect from 7 Sep 2002).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Polar Air of the US plans to re-start its operations in India after two years. The airline will serve Mumbai and Chennai with effect from 7 Sep 2002 and operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Polar Air...

INGERSOLL-RAND WORKING ON GOLDEN QUADRANGLE PLANS (has launched a virtual road institute to bridge the gap between expertise and utilisation).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Ingersoll-Rand India Ltd expects to obtain a large portion of work in the Golden Quadrangle project in India. The project involves building 14,000 kilometres of 4-lane and 6-lane national highways at a cost...

HCL TECHNOLOGIES NET PROFIT DOWN 11% IN FISCAL 2002 (registered a net profit of Rs425.32 crore during 2001-2002).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) HCL Technologies has suffered a fall of 11 percent in its net profit during 2001-2002. The company made a net profit of Rs425.32 crore during 2001-2002 compared to Rs480.12 crore in 2000-2001. During the...

ESC MOOTS PLAN TO ATTRACT `RE-LOCATING' PRODUCTION COMPANIES (a number of electronics companies in the US, Singapore and South Korea are re-locating their facilities).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) has asked the Government of India to take initiative to attract foreign companies to set up facilities in India. A number of...

SAP LABS TO INVEST 20 MILLION EUROS (setting up a software development campus in Bangalore).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) SAP Labs India is setting up a software development campus in Bangalore with an investment of 20 million euros. The company has invested nearly 125 million euros in India during the past 6 years. SAP Labs...

INTEL, SATYAM TO FOCUS ON E-BUSINESS (they recently commissioned their eBusiness solutions laboratories).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Intel is collaborating with Satyam Computer Services (SCS) to focus on optimising new computing and communication e-Business solutions. The companies recently commissioned their eBusiness solutions...

EYES ON 30% TOP LINE GROWTH (SSI Ltd added 6 clients in the fourth quarter of 2001-2002).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) SSI Ltd is expecting to increase its revenues by 25-30 percent during 2002-2003 over those in 2001-2002. The company has added 6 clients in the fourth quarter ended 30 Jun 2002. SSI had 32,753 students as...

GOVERNMENT SIGNALS MERGING OF MTNL, BSNL (DoT has been asked to prepare a comprehensive plan to merge BSNL and MTNL).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Communication Minister Pramod Mahajan has said that the Government of India proposes to merge the two public sector units, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), because the...

SECURITY BOGEY WON'T SELL (George Fernandes has, under the influence of a powerful lobby, opposed the divestment of HPCL and BPCL).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Defence Minister George Fernandes, who caused the market capitalisation of public sector units to be shaved off by Rs5,000 crore in just one day by opposing the strategic sale of Hindustan Petroleum...

GOVERNMENT READIES UTI BAIL BONDS FOR Rs15,000 CRORE (to fund shortfall in UTI's US-64 and assured returns schemes).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), Government of India, will be meeting on 31 Aug 2002 to discuss a bailout package for the Unit Trust of India (UTI). The Finance Ministry has put together a...

WAKE UP TO CHALLENGES, RBI REPORT TELLS GOVERNMENT (prescribes measures to counter diversion of allocated funds, effects of drought and infrastructure investment crowding in).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has urged the Government of India to increase public expenditure and speed up decision making to counter the slowdown effects of drought, realign administered interest rates...

MEGA DEPOSITS TURN LIABILITIES (since margins on advances have been squeezed, banks are discontinuing the extra interest on bulk deposits).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Banks are discontinuing higher interest rates on bulk deposits. Corporate companies and big depositors can no longer look around for the best interest rates because the additional 0.5-1 percentage point...

COMPROMISE FORMULA LIKELY ON HPCL, BPCL DIVESTMENT (the Petroleum Ministry to relent on disinvestment and the Disinvestment Ministry is to allow other PSUs to bid).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The bickering between the Petroleum and the Disinvestment Ministries over the disinvestment of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) may end with a comprise...

MINISTER AGAINST NFL DIVESTMENT (Fertiliser Minister SS Dhindsa will not allow disinvestment of NFL until 2003).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Fertiliser Minister SS Dhindsa is against disinvestment of the profit making National Fertilisers Ltd (NFL). He has said that he would not allow the disinvestment of NFL for at least one year, till 2003, but...

FLOWER EXPORTS SET TO BLOOM (Japan and European Union hold out promising outlook for Indian flower exporters).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Flower exports from India to Japan may be 7-8 million stems in 2002. Demand for Indian flowers in Japan is very encouraging. Floriculturists are also keenly waiting for exports to the European Union (EU),...

HCL REVERSES SLIDE IN SEQUENTIAL PAT (sequential quarter growth was pegged at 5.7% after a downward trend for 3 consecutive quarters).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The net profit of HCL Technologies Ltd (HTL) in the year ended 30 Jun 2002 is Rs486.1 crore, which is almost at par with the net profit as of Jun 2001. However, after allowing extraordinary provisions of...

FREIGHT RATES ON SHIPPING LINES TO US JUMP 20% (the charge for a 20 feet equal unit container hiked by $225).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Shipping lines operating container service to the USA, including lines that are a part of the Trans-Pacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) and IndAmEx Conference, have increased freight rates by nearly 20...

IMF FORECASTS 5.5% GDP GROWTH FOR INDIA (highlights the potential of the Indian economy but cautions the country on getting into a debt trap).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted a 5.5 percent economic growth in India in 2002-2003, assuming a modest recovery of 4.5 percent in the industrial sector. The projection is based on a...

SSI'S NET PROFIT AT Rs9.75 CRORE; TO PAY 20% (steep fall in net profit from Rs55.81 crore due to the provisioning of Rs63.98 crore for depreciation).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Chennai-based software services and information technology (IT) education company, SSI, made a net profit of Rs9.75 crore in the year ended 30 Jun 2002 as against Rs55.81 crore in the year ended 30 Jun...

SAP'S NEW CENTRE IN BANGALORE TO BE LARGEST IN ASIA (the facility is to accommodate about 2,350 personnel in a 3- phase expansion plan).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) SAP Labs, the new development centre of e-business software solutions provider SAP AG of Germany, in Bangalore will be the largest in Asia. The new facility, in a 15-acre campus housing 500-odd existing...

ANDHRA PRADESH SIGNS MoU WITH INTEL TO TRAIN 10,000 TEACHERS (to expand the `Intel Teach to the Future' programme).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Andhra Pradesh Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global chipmaker Intel to expand the `Intel Teach to the Future' programme in Andhra Pradesh. The programme will train 10,000...

'CORPORATE AGENTS CAN'T BE INSURANCE BROKERS' (due to conflict of interest between brokers and corporate agents, says IRDA).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), in its code of ethics, has stipulated that financial intermediaries/consultants cannot act as brokers. This is due to conflict of interest between...

C-DAC MAKES A MARK IN FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS (like BourseAnalyser, CyberProfit, SD2000 and Data Mart).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Centre for the Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is concentrating on financial modelling software. C-DAC has several financial solutions, like BourseAnalyser, CyberProfit, SD2000 and Data...

RBI'S RESERVES SWELL BY Rs12,747 CRORE (surpluses generated by RBI accounted for Rs7,823.9 crore of the Rs12,747 crore).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The reserves of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased by Rs12,747 crore. This will enable it to achieve the target of increasing its reserves to 12 percent of its total assets three years ahead of...

RISING STATE GUARANTEES WORRYING (outstanding guarantees of States grew to 8.1% of the GDP against 4.4% in 1996).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expressed concern over the fall in government finances in general and State government finances in particular. The combined debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio...

NRI TRANSFERS LOSE PRIME POSITION IN INVISIBLES (private transfers by NRIs slumped to 35% during 2001-2002 from 53% in 1997-1998).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The share of earnings through service exports in invisible receipts exceeded that of private transfers by non-resident Indians (NRIs). Private transfers by NRIs fell to 35 percent during 2001-2002 from 53...

GOVERNMENT MAY BORROW MORE (sets a target of Rs1,42,896 crore in gross borrowing for 2002-2003).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The Government of India is likely to borrow more than the budgeted amount for 2002-2003 due to the drought. It has set a target of Rs1,42,896 crore in gross borrowing for 2002-2003. This is against the...

GOVERNMENT WARNED ON GROWING FOOD STOCK (banks will face a credit risk even if one-fifth of the food stocks have to be written off in 4 years).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cautioned the Government of India that the growing food stocks will pose a risk to banks if not managed efficiently. The banks will face a credit risk even if one-fifth of...

DEMONETISED GOVERNMENT DEBT OF RBI AT Rs21,950 CRORE (RBI's investment in government securities fell by 14% to Rs1,35,067.86 crore as on 30 Jun 2002).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) demonetised the debt of the Government of India by Rs21,959.55 crore. Its investment in government securities fell by 14 percent to Rs1,35,067.86 crore as on 30 Jun 2002...

CALL RATES CLOSE AROUND 5.75% (on 30 Aug 2002 due to easy liquidity in the system amidst fall in demand).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Call rates closed at 5.75 percent in the call market after trading at 5.65-5.75 percent on 30 Aug 2002. This is due to easy liquidity in the system amidst fall in demand. Call rates opened at 5.7-5.75. The...

RUPEE ENDS AT 48.50 (on 30 Aug 2002 due to increase in trade inflows and conversion of foreign currency loans by companies).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The rupee closed at 48.5000/5050 against the US dollar on 30 Aug 2002 against the previous close of 48.52/5275. This was due to the increase in trade inflows and conversion of foreign currency loans by...

COMPUTER SCIENCE GRE TEST IN INDIA CANCELLED (after an investigation revealed that candidates were illegally sharing memorised questions over the Internet).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) The computer science section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will be cancelled for 2002-2003 in India and China, after an investigation revealed that candidates were illegally sharing memorised...

TCS RESEARCH UNIT TOOLS AUTOMATE DEVELOPMENT (tools generate about 350 lines of code per person-day thus reducing time to develop and market new products).
August 31, 2002... (From India Business Insight) Tata Research Development and Design Centre, the research and development (R and D) wing of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), develops tools to automate the software development process. The centre has so far...

SUMMIT TAKES TO THE STREETS ON SATURDAY.
August 31, 2002... (From SAPA (South African Press Association)) After days of word-wrangling at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the feet of tens of thousands of protesters -- including government ministers and the landless -- will do the...

Japanese firms commit B9.9bn more.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Chatrudee Theparat Japanese investors made commitments to 9.9 billion baht worth of expansion projects in Thailand as a result of the five-day government trade mission that ended on Thursday, according to...

Germans help revive Submicron.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Parista Yuthamanop The bankrupt wafer fabrication company SubmicronTechnology has received a new lease on life under a restructuring deal completed through the state-owned Thai Asset Management...

Thanong: Let state keep majority stake.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut The government should limit the privatisation of Thai Airways International Plc and keep a shareholding of at least 51%, chairman Thanong Bidaya said yesterday. Dr Thanong...

Export value continues to rise.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Parista Yuthamanop and Phusadee Arunmas Latest economic data showed continual improvement for July, with little impact from the weakening US economy, according to the Bank of Thailand. July exports...

Back to pre-crisis level _ IMF.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Post reporters Thailand's economy, projected to grow 3.5% this year, has returned to pre-crisis levels, according to the International Monetary Fund. However, while the IMF praised Thailand's progress...

Cosco tipped to join with TMN.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Post reporters Cosco, a major liner operator based in China, has entered a preliminary agreement to form a joint-venture firm with state-owned Thai Maritime Navigation Co (TMN) to operate a national...

Thai firms get tips on entering China.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Somporn Thapanachai China is a rising market for Thai cosmetic products due to rapid consumption growth, but exporters have to be aware of how difficult it is to gain a foothold in the country, say...

NHA would back securities.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn The Secondary Mortgage Corporation is preparing to issue 1.2 billion baht in mortgage-backed securities, backed by assets purchased from the National Housing Authority. The...

Magazine poll honours Asset Plus.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Asset Plus Securities has been named the best local investment bank by Finance Asia magazine. The magazine said Asset Plus had developed a strong investment banking division, leading two successful IPOs for iTV...

Daring to dream the impossible.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Story by ALONGKORN PARIVUDHIPHONGS It looks like a sure recipe for disaster. Four young men from totally different backgrounds have banded together to set up a drama troupe called theatre BOX. They've...

Staging a septet.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Kicking off early next month is the troupe's debut, Nang Fah Riang Bur (Angels with Numbers). Based on Manop Thanomsri's novel, Nang Fah Tid Bur, the story focuses on the lurid lifestyles of seven women of different...

Flute recital at Sukhothai Hotel.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Renowned Italian flautist Andrea Criminelli will charm Bangkok's music lovers with a one-off concert at the Sukhothai Hotel on September 9, starting at 7 pm. Celebrated for his moving interpretations and technical...

Eighty years old and going strong.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Usnisa Sukhsvasti Celebrating his 80th birthday in true jet-set fashion was Dr Hari N Harilela, GBS OBE JP, chairman of the Harilela Group which dominates the economy of Hong Kong and also has fingers in...

A short but fruitful life.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) His idealism always sounds so youthful, but were he still alive, Jit Phumisak would be turning 72 this coming month. On September 27, Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Art _ Jit's Alma Mater _ will see a group...

Experience is the best teacher.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: ATIYA ACHAKULWISUT Prabda Yoon was at a Zen tea ceremony when he heard that he had won the prestigious SEA Write Award last week. Did the news divert him from Zen-style calm? ``Not really,''...

Fit for a king.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) `As far as cooking is concerned, Thais are quite inventive; we mix rice with other ingredients to make delicious goodies,'' said HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn back in November, 1994, during the 35th Japan-IRRI...

Waffle on!
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: USNISA SUKHSVASTI How do you enjoy a mouthwatering Belgian waffle without feeling guilty? Why, order some at The Landmark of course!. That wasn't meant to be a riddle, actually; it's simply that the...

Sunny side up.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) The following is what HRH Princess Maha Chankri Sirindhorn wrote in the new book, Great Thai Hom Mali Rice Recipes of the World. ``When I was young, His Majesty used to cook for me a dish which he called `khai...

The ties that bind.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Somkid Chaijitvanit `Freedom'' may be an unsubstantial idea for those who have it. But if you are confined, freedom can mean so much. Take these two chained monkeys. One afternoon I was having lunch...

Lively evening at the TCC.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Ormkwan Sanasen The popularity of Tchaikovsky here and the arrival in town of two world-class performers lured Bangkok's classical music lovers out for a special performance last week. The Bangkok...

Seasonal delicacies.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: YINGYONG UN-ANONGRAK I wouldn't claim that those big Chinese holidays, Chinese New Year and Sart Jeen, which just passed, are without their advantages, even after they are over. At the very least there is...

Foreign gang kills policeman while robbing bank in Pattaya.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Jerdsak Saengthongcharoen and Wassayos Ngamkham A police corporal was shot dead by four men suspected to be foreign nationals during a robbery of the Bank of Ayudhya's South Pattaya branch in Chon Buri...

PM shrugs off stalled pact threat.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Post reporters Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday responded sternly to Taiwan's threat to stop hiring Thai workers, saying there was no problem if Taipei would not enter a bilateral labour...

Nakhon Nayok project found `wanting in safety'.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Ranjana Wangvipula A panel checking the safety of a nuclear research reactor project in Nakhon Nayok has found its safety analysis review wanting in at least three areas. The panel will send its...

Pichet insists he's innocent.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Wut Nontharit Deputy Industry Minister Pichet Sathirachawal believes he can prove to the Constitutional Court he did not intend hiding his 48-million-baht debt from the National Counter Corruption...

Cheating by son of PM played down.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Sirikul Bunnag and Surasak Tumcharoen The acting rector of Ramkhamhaeng University has sought to play down reports of alleged cheating in an exam by the son of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying...

Firm fails to come up with $5m again.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Sermsuk Kasitipradit Phuket Passproject Co failed for the third time yesterday to deliver US$5 million in cash backing its request to conduct a feasibility for the Kra canal. Phuket Passproject Co...

Emergency centres set up in 50 districts.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Apiradee Treerutkuarkul City hall has set up an emergency relief centre in each of 50 districts in anticipation of possible flooding in Bangkok over the next two weeks. City clerk Kriangsak Lohachala...

Ferry service cut as bridge work starts.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) The Public Works Department will close the Phetra ferry service across the Chao Phraya river in Pu Chao Saming Phrai area for three years, starting at 6am today, for the construction of a bridge which will form a big...

Peace talks first of many such rounds.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Post reporters The Sept 16-18 talks in Thailand between Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lanka government will be the first of many rounds, a Norwegian diplomat said yesterday. But even though the talks...

107,000 speed pills seized.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Manop Thip-osod Three people have been caught in separate actions during which more than 100,000 speed pills were seized. The three suspects were identified as Paisarn Changkhian, 39, of Ang Thong,...

City clerk loses appeal for extended term.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Porpot Changyawa and Mongkol Bangprapa The Administrative Court yesterday rejected the appeal of city clerk Kriangsak Lohachala to have his term extended. ``The cabinet resolution on new civil service...

Police want specialists to hit drug trade.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Anucha Charoenpo Police want to prosecute more drug suspects, and have asked the government to increase the number of drug-specialist investigators in every province from next year. National police...

Basin development in good progress.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Nutcharee Raekroon The Pak Phanang basin development project in Nakhon Si Thammarat has progressed at a satisfactory pace with more than 50% of the project already complete. Prime Minister Thaksin...

No full speed ahead in navy deal for boats.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Wassana Nanuam The navy will commission China to build two patrol vessels worth 3.52 billion baht but cabinet has not yet approved the procurement due to a technical problem, Defence Minister Chavalit...

Court drops murder case.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) The Criminal Court has dropped a case in which the chairman of a disabled association was accused of masterminding the murder of the chairman of the disabled lottery vendor association. Amnajthawee Nararak, Manas...

Ex-minister seeks inquiry against NGOs.
August 31, 2002... (From Bangkok Post) Byline: Wut Nontharit Former public health minister Rakkiat Sukthana has sought a House inquiry into alleged abuse of state subsidies by non-government organisations that have accused him of corruption. A...